Pulcini denies Habsburg in Monza thriller

Leonardo Pulcini made a superb pass on Ferdinand Habsburg at the Parabolica on the final lap to clinch his second victory of the weekend at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza at the end of a thrilling afternoon of racing at the Italian circuit.

Habsburg and Pulcini were locked in a great battle in the closing laps, with Pulcini driving strongly in offence and Habsburg equally strongly in defence, but it was the Italian who clinched the win by going around the Austrian at the final corner on the final lap.

Campos Racing’s Pulcini now sits 64 points clear of Drivex School’s Habsburg in the championship standings with just two rounds remaining, but the battle for the title is now between those two.

Having clinched pole position earlier in the day, Nikita Troitskiy held the lead early on, and with drivers behind squabbling for position, the young Russian was at one point more than three seconds ahead but was pegged back, and ultimately was forced to settle for third, his maiden podium in the championship in just his fourth race.

Colton Herta was fourth for Carlin despite a scruffy opening lap that saw him fall well down the field from second place, but climbed back up the order as others battled for position. He made a late race pass on Enaam Ahmed to finish fourth, while the RP Motorsport driver was forced to settle for fifth.

Herta and Ahmed were involved in a great battle with Campos Racing duo Diego Menchaca and Julio Moreno, but unfortunately for the team-mates, they collided at Parabolica with six laps remaining to remove both from the battle and ended their chances of points.